Prompt : Flashback to Millie's birth.
Oliver has known a lot of different kind of loves in his life.
Filial love. Even if he and his dad were not always on the same page, Oliver never doubted his parents loved him deeply. He was still struggling with the loss of his mom a few months ago.
He had had his fair share of romantic relationships, even if most of the time it was more infatuation and deep affection for his longest hookups.
And of course the love he felt for his 2 best friends, Felicity and Tommy. He was not sure what he would have done after his mother passed away if these two hadn't been there.
So there was still love with a big L, the one involving marriage and kids, and life commitment, but the idea always made him shudder. He was 21 years old, and he couldn't imagine himself being burdened with that kind of responsibility.
That is, until he met Emilia Smoak.
The music is not exactly to his taste in this club, but he doesn't really care since he has met this really gorgeous brunette. He has only had one drink so far, not enough to get even slightly buzzed, but he intends to remedy to that soon.
At least when he's drunk he doesn't feel like a failure and the memory of his mom doesn't hurt so much.
Chasing away the thoughts, he not so subtly checks out the brunette's cleavage.
Yes, his night is definitely improving by the minute.
He feels his phone buzz in his pocket, and for a second considers letting it go to voicemail, especially considering the late hour. But Felicity has not been sleeping well lately, uncomfortable in the last stage of her pregnancy, and she calls him sometimes just to talk.
With an apologetic smile to the brunette, he fishes it out of his pocket.
"Hey. everything alright?"
"Everything's fine. But my water broke."
He chuckles."Yeah, I doubt you'll find a plumber at this time of night."
"Oliver."
The amusement in her voice makes him wonder what he has said that is so funny, and it takes him another minute to fully comprehend. "Oh shit! You mean that's it?
Her light laugh warms his heart."Yes, that's it. Can you come get me?"
"Of course. I'm leaving now. Tell her to wait for me!"
There's a snort on the other end of the line before Felicity hangs up.
"I have to go. Her water broke. The baby's coming," he says with a huge grin, so elated that he forgets for a moment who he's speaking to.
The horrified look on the girl's face brings him back on earth.
"The baby? You could have mentioned.."
"Oh no, it's not….Ah, never mind. I'll call you, ok? I just...I really have to go. Sorry."
With an apologetic smile and an awkward little tap on her shoulder, he runs out of the club. It's only when he is in the cab en route to Felicity's place he remembers he never asked for the girl's number.
They have been in the delivery room for 5 hours now, and judging by the doctor's encouragement, it's almost over.
He's sitting next to her, letting her hold his hand and squeeze it occasionally. He had never suspected she had so much strength in these little fingers. He's not sure his own will ever recover.
Right now his heart breaks a little at the frightened look on her sweaty, beautiful face.
"Oliver, I don't know if I can do this alone."
He smiles gently. "First, yes you can. You're amazing like that. But you're not alone, Felicity. I told you I would be with you every step of the way."
"But we're not...I can't ask…"
He kisses her sweaty forehead. "Shhhh. We're not having this conversation again. Emilia is a super lucky little girl because she'll have you as her mom and me as Super Uncle Oliver. You'll nail this motherhood thing. I know it."
There is a certainty in his voice that seems to ground her and a beautiful smile stretch out her lips.
"Thank you for being here."
He grins. "No power in the verse can stop me."
Despite the pain of the contractions she laughs . Oliver gives her a smug smile. After all, she's the one who made him binge watch that show a few weeks ago.
When the doctors put Emilia on her mother's chest Felicity cries and laugh, pressing small kisses on her daughter's head. Oliver smiles, taking a step back to let mother and daughter share this precious moment and just being content to watch this miracle of life unfolds before his eyes.
Just before the nurse is about to take Emilia back, he puts his finger on her cheek, and she raises her little head, her blue eyes meeting his, and it's like a punch to the guts.
There's a tremor in his voice when he greets her for the first time.
"Hey baby girl"
As he looks at her, tiny bundle in his arms, his entire world shifts.
A fierce protectiveness overwhelms him. There is a certainty, deep in his soul, that he's always going to make sure she's safe and happy. He kisses her head and inhales deeply. He hadn't realize how baby smell could become so addictive.
Or maybe it's just her.
A movement coming from the bed alerts him Felicity has woken up. She looks at him with a tired but happy smile.
"Millie and I are bonding," he explains, a bit embarrassed at being caught holding the baby. He hasn't put her in her bassinet yet, too fascinated by this brand new, wonderful human being.
She raises an eyebrow. "Millie?"
"Yes...you don't like it?"
She shrugs. "I hadn't considered nicknames yet...Millie is cute."
Relieved, he goes back to his contemplation of the newborn. Her little nose is so cute. And her skin is soft like the petal of a flower. And her little...
Felicity clears her throat and Oliver raises his head. She is looking at him with an amused smile.
"May I hold my daughter now?"
He blushes. Here he is, monopolizing his best friend's daughter as if she were his own. "Oh! Of course. Sorry."
He delicately transfers the baby from his arms to Felicity's. He still wants to stay close, so he gently caresses her tiny hand with the tip of his finger. Millie opens her hand and grabs the digit.
"I think she likes you," Felicity grins delightedly, her gaze travelling between her daughter and Oliver.
After a while Felicity falls asleep again and Oliver takes back Millie and settles back comfortably in the chair. Her blue eyes are staring at him, and wait, is that a smile? No, it is too early. Or so the maternity books he has read are saying. He admires her little mouth and notices that her upper lip seems a bit dry. He would have to ask the nurse if they could do something about that. And her tiny blonde eyebrows are barely discernable, but he can't help but caress the soft curve with his thumb.
Is this what falling in love feels like ? Because he enjoys it.
He enjoys it, very, very much.